In case you missed it, here is a prime example of why the castle law is so important. (The news story did not get wide coverage.)

It also illustrates the importance of teaching our kids how to use fierarms and the importance of making sure they can get access to a firearm if needed.

Teen kills intruder in county's 1st homicide of the year
[from the Vicksburg (Mississippi) Post 12/31/07]

A teen shot and killed a home intruder Sunday night, stopping a theft in progress and sending the intruder's accomplices scurrying, said Sheriff Martin Pace.

Found dead in front of a mobile home in South Warren County was Jonathan Bruce, 21, 3341 Sunnybrook Drive in Jackson, said Coroner Doug Huskey.

Bruce had been shot once with a .410 shotgun and had stumbled out of the mobile home, Pace said.

The teen, who was not identified, was not arrested or charged. Pace said details of the investigation will be presented to the district attorney, but it appeared the shooting -- Warren County's first homicide of the year -- will be deemed justifiable.

Pace said the adults who lived in the home where Bruce was shot made a living as street vendors. He said Bruce and two other men had forced their way into the mobile home at 25 Red Oak Drive about 7 p.m. after inquiring about purchasing shoes. The teen and several other juveniles were alone when the trio entered.

Pace said after the men got inside, they started "loading up merchandise" until the teen got a shotgun and fired it at Bruce, who had a handgun in his pocket. After being shot, Bruce turned and walked out onto the lawn, where he was found when deputies arrived. The other men fled in a sedan.
Pace said Warren County officers were working with counterparts in the Jackson Police Department to identify Bruce's companions, said to have been in a white sedan without a tag.

A followup story quoted the DA as saying that he would not present the case to the grand jury because it was not a crime to defend one's home.

One helluva way to start the new year. I hope the kid gets some counselling.

NoloContendere

01-02-2008, 14:29

+1

Glad the kid is ok.

NRA_guy

01-03-2008, 17:23

On the other hand, this kind of shooting could create a problem for the Castle Law:

Natchez man mistakes wife for intruder, kills her
January 2, 2008

NATCHEZ - A Natchez man shot and killed his wife when he mistook her for an intruder in their home, according to police.

Police Chief Mike Mullins said Glenn and Deborah Mizell awoke around 4 a.m. Tuesday to the sound of their barking dog. Mullins said Glenn Mizell went to investigate, taking a pistol with him.

Mullins said Glenn Mizell began checking through the house and was unaware his wife had left the bedroom and gone into the kitchen. Mullins said when Mizell saw her figure in the dark, he fired his gun once.

Authorities said 49-year-old Deborah Mizell was shot once in the chest and died at the scene.

Mullins said a preliminary investigation shows the shooting was an accident.

Glad they did not cite the Castle Law as the reason for not prosecuting him.